LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - 4/26/2014

Editor: I was pleased to see the wonderful coverage of Catholic nuns in the April 20 Sunday Times.

I have known and loved the Immaculate Heart of Mary sisters since I was a student at Marywood College in the 1960s.

I am not Catholic but no matter. As a student and throughout my adult life I have received the love, support and prayers of the sisters through good times and bad. I know that countless others can say the same.

Their work ethic is unmatched. They put in long, hard hours of joyful service. They work for God, not for money. The good they have done for humankind cannot be measured.

It is a balm to the soul to recognize the quiet heroes of our society. Mother Teresa said, “Intense love does not measure, it just gives.” So it is with the good sisters. God bless them.

BRENDA SPANGENBERG

FACTORYVILLE

Enthusiastic event

Editor: On April 11 University of Scranton students hosted a wonderful, spectacular Relay for Life event for all cancer survivors and spouses at the John Long Center.

It was a lousy, rainy and cold night. Yet, we had hundreds of energetic, helpful, happy U of S students who gave up their Friday night and Saturday to do this event to benefit the American Cancer Society.

I am a two-year breast cancer survivor. This was an upbeat affair. We had a great dinner and met other survivors. I hope to see more survivors at the next one on April 25, 2015.

Thanks to Cindy Delaney, coordinator of the American Cancer Society, and to my sister, Donna, who was my angel when I needed her.

God bless the students who endured all the hours of walking and dancing for a great cause. Hopefully we’ll get a lot more people to go next time.

LAUREN SPINDLER

SCRANTON

Persistent warriors

Editor: When President Obama was re-elected I told my friend the 3,000 abortions a day will continue as long as we have Obama as president. His response, “I don’t care about that part.”

I was amazed, but now I realize the abortion issue doesn’t sway many people’s choice in elections.

Thus, I salute Barbara Yanchek, Jerome Gilmartin and Donna M. Biscontini (Your Opinion, April 4) for their pro-life letters in the newspaper. May God bless them and the pro-life federation with people like Helen Goshler and Mary Ann Haas for their constant fight to protect the unborn.

Mr. Gilmartin’s statement, “Do we give no thought to earlier ovens when told the United Kingdom Hospital incinerators now burn the bodies of the unborn babies for fuel,” should be an eye opener for these who don’t care about the abortion issue in elections.

If society accepts these horrible practices, it has two choices: see the light to fight, or accept it.

There is no way, no how, no reason to justify abortions.

JOE DOMIANO

OLD FORGE

On social justice

Editor: Questions for the single issue pro-life crowd to ponder based on a reading of “Our Gang,” Philip Roth’s 1971 novel:

“President: There were babies in that ditch at My Lai, and we know there were women of all ages, but I have not seen a single document that suggests the ditch at My Lai contained a pregnant woman.”

“Citizen: But what if, sir – what if one of the 22 was a pregnant woman? Suppose that were to come to light in your judicial review of the lieutenant’s conviction. In that you personally believe in the sanctity of human life, including the life of the yet unborn, couldn’t such a fact seriously prejudice you against Lieutenant Calley’s appeal? I have to admit that as an opponent of abortion, it would have a profound effect upon me.”

Questions: How many policy/moral issues are reflected in the case of the My Lai massacre?

Would Lt. Calley have been found guilty if Roe hadn’t beaten Wade?

Hint: This is a trick question.

Is our nation’s sense of social justice better now than it was in 1971?

The letter has in itself opposing arguments. First, it states, “The minimum wage was never intended to be a ‘living wage.’ ” Then it states progressive politics can’t survive without a “victim class.”

In Northeast Pennsylvania, there are many minimum wage earners who have physically demanding jobs. So, yes, raise the minimum wage to $10.70 per hour so those holding these physically demanding jobs can really take home a “living wage.” It is overdue.

President Clinton was the last one to raise it. So should President Obama.

CHARLES J. OLESKI

SCRANTON

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